NEWS

URGENT CALL TO ACTION RUAKURA ROAD CROSSING

My apologies for the extremely late notice, but if you have five minutes to spare, please consider writing a very brief submission to HCC regarding the provision of safe crossing point(s) on Ruakura Rd near the Ruakura Research Centre. We have a refuge at present, which is better than nothing, but only just. A young man lost his life on this road, and we also have three major research institutions linked by Ruakura Rd: Ruakura itself, the Innovation Park and the University of Waikato. Almost anywhere else in the world, there is a huge emphasis on safe, sustainable access to institutions like this.

I intend to suggest that consideration be given to moving the main entrance to the Ruakura campus slightly further down Ruakura Rd so that it is opposite Sherwood Park subdivision at Nottingham Drive. This would allow the installation of a single set of traffic lights, with pedestrian phases, which would allow safer access to the subdivion and safe access to the Ruakura campus for all road users: vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Since the land is Tainui-owned and is currently paddocks, there shouldn't be a major problem in diverting the present Ruakura avenue sideways to connect to a new set of lights.

HAMILTON HOUSING HUI

Cycling and Walking Incident ONLINE FORM

I have just been alerted by another group to the existence of a very useful online form on HCC's website for reporting minor incidents that represent a danger or difficulty to pedestrians and/or cyclists.

The URL is as follows - you might like to keep a note of it in case of need!

COMMUNITY FRUIT PICK - HUI HAMILTON –

OPPORTUNITIES GALORE!

Tuesday 22nd March 1 to 2.30pm at The Environment Centre

Do you like to coordinate, market, promote, tweet, post, pick, pack, drive…? There are many volunteer opportunities with Community Fruit Pick - endless ways of helping share the load and share the fruit!

With Feijoa season just around the corner, and potentially acres of trees to pick, people to coordinate, transport to arrange, boxes to collect, promotions to make – now is your chance to join in the fun!

Community Fruit Pick is dedicated to utilising the abundance of fruit that is around us. Wonderful fruit is just hanging out waiting for someone to care, so let’s get together and make sure that this juicy, sweet love can be shared

Community Fruit Pick could do with some willing helpers with differing strengths and abilities.

If you’d like to help but you’re unsure how, this really could be for you! Everybody has a gift to share.

And if you can’t make the hui but you’d like to contribute please let the Environment Centre know admin@envirocentre.org.nz or p 07 839 445207 839 4452

07 839 4452

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WAIKATO COMMUNITY GARDEN NETWORK

Thursday March 17th 12 -1.30pm Migrant Resource Centre

SINGLE-YEAR COMMUNITY GRANT ALLOCATION COMMITTEE

We are looking at appointing a new allocation committee to make decisions around our single year grant for the next 3 years. Ideally we want a diverse crew of people with backgrounds that cover the range of applications we will receive.

Applications for the committee require a Covering Letter and CV. Applications must be submitted via email to: funding@hcc.govt.nz

DETAILS ATTACHED

nomination.pdf

HAMILTON ORGANIC GARDENERS

Welcome to new members. The first HOGs meeting of the year is next Saturday 5th March at Wendy's place from 10am till midday.

Wendy's address is 89 Jellicoe Drive, Ham East. We'll start with a cuppa. It may pay to bring your favourite cup/mug as there may not be enough cups to go round. We'll be talking about problems with pests and produce people have had this summer; seed saving and what to plant now.

There'll be the usual swap table so bring along plants, produce, seeds etc. to swap. Always interesting to see what people have and are growing. You're welcome to sell plants etc. too. Deborah Brown would like any spare plant pots you have.

The way HOGs work is, there isn't a membership fee as such. We meet/visit gardens and chat and swap plants etc. Koha for plants etc. appreciated if you don't have swaps. (This goes towards gifts and for speakers) We sometimes have meetings at the Environment Centre and have an entry fee for those meetings that we donate back to the EC. It's an excellent venue and has many interesting things going on. HOGs uses the EC more in winter when we have speakers. Local natural health practitioners talking about health topics are popular. If you have any suggestions for speakers or would like a HOGs visit to your garden, please let us know.

The main way of contacting people is via the email list. HOGs also has a Facebook page and notices are posted on the page but not addresses or details. "Likes" from members and friends of on the page are always appreciated; another avenue to promote organic gardening:

FREE CARPET

The University has around 20 rolls of carpet (up to 2m long), that would be useful for weed mat.

Pick up weekdays between 8.30am-4.30pm

Thanks

Rachael 0 7838 47710 7838 4771

NATIONAL SURVEY ON CURRENT STATE OF THE CHIDREN’S WORKFORCE IN NZ

The Children’s Action Plan Directorate are currently running a national survey on the current state of the Children's Workforce in New Zealand.

As you can see from the paragraph below, the survey is open to all those that work with children, or are in a position to identify and respond to child vulnerability.

You may have already been forwarded the survey, from your head office or managers, so I apologise in advance if you have.

I encourage you to forward the link to other members of your staff that fit the require criteria and ask them to complete the survey. The more people that complete it the better ‘picture’ the researches will get (I think nearly 1,000 people have completed it so far!).

It takes about 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous. Just click on the link below.

The Children’s Action Plan is currently running a Children’s Workforce Survey. The survey is open to all those who work with children, or who are in a position to identify and respond to child vulnerability. It’s an opportunity for you to have your say on the current state of the Children’s Workforce. The survey will close on 15 March 2016.